I think I posted a week or two ago that I had an opportunity to accompany my OT to a splinting conference she was presenting. I was her volunteer/student because I am going to college to become an OT. This was trully a great opportunity!
The conference that I went to was really cool! I got to learn about splinting pediatric as well as geriatric hands. Then when the lecture was over and there was open lab time (meaning the group could try to make any splints that they wanted to) I got to try splinting too. So I attempted to make my mp blocking splint that I wear every day because there was a really cool color splinting material that the compant sent to my OT as free samples. My OT helped me quite a bit, but I did make it and it was a different material would be able to wear it daily, but there is too much give so I would not be blocked down as well.
I also got to bring home all the scraps from the others that tried splinting so that I can play/practice. I think though that I am going to use one piece to adapt my car so that I can use my right arm for the windsheild wipers. Right now I have to reach on to the dash over my steering wheel to control the wipers.
It was a really fun conference to attend and will definitely give me an advantage over my classmates. I have been able to learn so much of the anatomy of the arm and hand and I have been able to learn tricks to splinting young and old hand (which I will not forget because the conference sponsors made a book for me too to keep. It has the lecture in it as well as a lot of patterens for splints. that will be so awesome to have when I get a little farther in school. And I know who wrote the book and made the patterns (that would be my OTR/CHT, Joni Armstrong) so if I ever have questions I know who to call.
It was really interesting to see that some therapists really have no splinting experience. One of the ladies that was there really had trouble taking a pattern and making it a reality. So many of them want a splint that is prefabricated that they can just take off the shelf and had to the patient. I have only ever gotted one pre fab splint from my OT and we modified it any way.
A custom splint will fit the patients needs so much better and it can be decorated so easily so that it is their splint. I have a whole list of stuff to share on tips to keeps splints on but I will share those later.
Overall, I had a really great experience! And I hope that I get the opportunity to go with my OT again another time. She is just a really fun person to be around!
Oh and I almost forgot, I got to present my case study with a little help from my OT or a lot of help, she put it together for me and then filled in a little bit of the explaining that I missed. And since the conference was so small (there were supposed to be 8 people there and only 6 showed up) it was really easy to talk to them. The conference attendants really seemed to enjoy me presenting my own case study because they got to hear it from a patient point of view. They also got to see all my splints and hear about the successes that I had from them. It was so cool to see a picture of my hand from 2 years ago as compared to know, I dont think I have the picture but I will share it when I get it from my OT.
The biggest thing was the pictures that we have from the last two years. It is incredible to look at the pictures from two years ago and the ones from now. I have come so far in terms of hand use! Also with the pictures I know better what my home program is. I can see what I need to be doing. I would encourage you to take pictures of your little ones in therapy or have your therapist take pictures. Especially if there is more than one person (like when your kids go to school or day care) taking care of them that might remove or apply a splint or even do ROM the pictures make it so much easier for both the care givers as well as the therapist.
During open lab and breaks through out the day the conference attendants came up to me and told me that they really sppreciated me being there. That was really cool to hear! I also have a possible bpi connection in MN on of the therapists there said she has treated three bpi children (sad part is they are all delivered by the same doc) but any way she still sees one and has taken my email address to give to the family. I also gave them ubpn if they did not feel comfortable contacting me. I hope that they will email me.
I guess thats enough of a book for now, congrats to any one who made it this far. I just had such a great time! And I have to talk to my college but my OT thinks I might be able to get some college credit for attending the conference. That would be cool but even if I dont get credit they cant take away what I learned!
Hugs to every one!
Amy
splinting conference
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hope16_05
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
- Location: Minnesota
- Contact:
splinting conference
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
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marieke
- Posts: 1627
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008. - Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Contact:
Re: splinting conference
Amy, I am so glad that you had fun and learned a lot! Sounds like it was a blast, wish I could have gone... I love playing with making things!!! LOL
Speek to you soon.
Marieke
ps: did anyone take pics during the presentation/splint making?
Speek to you soon.
Marieke
ps: did anyone take pics during the presentation/splint making?
Re: splinting conference
Amy,
Sounds like a terrific experience for you. So glad you had so much fun. I am beginning to think about OT now that I have learned so much. A bit late in life to start college but what the heck.
Sue
Sounds like a terrific experience for you. So glad you had so much fun. I am beginning to think about OT now that I have learned so much. A bit late in life to start college but what the heck.
Sue
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marieke
- Posts: 1627
- Joined: Fri Apr 01, 2005 6:00 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI
no external rotation against gravity, can only go to 90 degree fwd flexion, no hand-to-mouth
1 surgery at age 14 (latissimus dorsi transfer). In 2004, at age 28 I was struck with Transverse Myelitis which paralyzed me from the chest down. I recovered movement to my right leg, but need a KAFO to walk on my left leg. I became an RN in 2008. - Location: Montreal, Qc, Canada
- Contact:
Re: splinting conference
Never too old! There is a 50 yr old in my nursing class...
Marieke
Marieke
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hope16_05
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
- Location: Minnesota
- Contact:
Re: splinting conference
Marieke,
No we didn't take pictures. I am not sure if pictures could be taken. I never thought bout it. It was a continuing ed class.
Sue, I say if the passion is there it only takes 5.5 years from fresh out of high school to a Masters in OT. I really enjoy OT so far. The actual OT program is only 2.5 years full time.2 years of classes and 6 months of feild work. Its never too late if the passion is there!
Hugs,
Amy 19 ROBPI from MN
No we didn't take pictures. I am not sure if pictures could be taken. I never thought bout it. It was a continuing ed class.
Sue, I say if the passion is there it only takes 5.5 years from fresh out of high school to a Masters in OT. I really enjoy OT so far. The actual OT program is only 2.5 years full time.2 years of classes and 6 months of feild work. Its never too late if the passion is there!
Hugs,
Amy 19 ROBPI from MN
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
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Kath
- Posts: 3242
- Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
- Location: New York
Re: splinting conference
Amy
This was a great experience for you.
It will help later on when you are and OT.
One of the things that I think would have prevented my secondary injuries would have been a good/interested OT.
Great going, thanks for taking the time to tell us all about it.
Next time make sure you take photos... LOL...
Kath (robpi/adult)
This was a great experience for you.
It will help later on when you are and OT.
One of the things that I think would have prevented my secondary injuries would have been a good/interested OT.
Great going, thanks for taking the time to tell us all about it.
Next time make sure you take photos... LOL...
Kath (robpi/adult)
Kath robpi/adult
Kathleen Mallozzi
Kathleen Mallozzi
Re: splinting conference
Amy,
What a wonderful experience for you! Congrats!
Joanie
What a wonderful experience for you! Congrats!
Joanie
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: splinting conference
Amy,
What a TERRIFIC experience for you!!You will accomplish alot as an OT because you have the passion.I can't wait to see you at Camp 2007 so you can practice your "geriatric splinting"...LOL... on my left hand...I still think there is something that can help besides carrying a ball in my hand all of the time!! Oh yeah, a PT did give me a cone with finger separaters for sleep but that comes off pretty quick after I fall asleep so I don't bother with it any more...
ANYWAY, Congratulations on a great Conference. I am SOOO PROUD to know you.
Yes, Sue , it is NEVER too late to go for further education...I learned the computer at 65 & I was sooo afraid of it! & It has opened a whole new world and UBPN Family for me.
((((HUGS)))),
Carolyn J
What a TERRIFIC experience for you!!You will accomplish alot as an OT because you have the passion.I can't wait to see you at Camp 2007 so you can practice your "geriatric splinting"...LOL... on my left hand...I still think there is something that can help besides carrying a ball in my hand all of the time!! Oh yeah, a PT did give me a cone with finger separaters for sleep but that comes off pretty quick after I fall asleep so I don't bother with it any more...
ANYWAY, Congratulations on a great Conference. I am SOOO PROUD to know you.
Yes, Sue , it is NEVER too late to go for further education...I learned the computer at 65 & I was sooo afraid of it! & It has opened a whole new world and UBPN Family for me.
((((HUGS)))),
Carolyn J
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI
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hope16_05
- Posts: 1670
- Joined: Tue Jul 01, 2003 11:33 am
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: 28 years old with a right obstetrical brachial plexus injury. 5 surgeries to date with pretty decent results. Last surgery resolved years of pain in my right arm however, I am beginning my journey with overuse in my left arm
- Location: Minnesota
- Contact:
Re: splinting conference
Carolyn, I actually have an idea for your hand. When my OT was presenting this splint, you were who I thought about. It it a custom "carved" splint made out of a noodle (the ones you use in a pool) There were several others too that might help but I have to look at them again.
I gotta run, my mom wants me to help. Will write more later.
Big Hugs,
Amy
I gotta run, my mom wants me to help. Will write more later.
Big Hugs,
Amy
Amy 28 years old ROBPI from MN
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Carolyn J
- Posts: 3424
- Joined: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:22 pm
- Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI. I am 77 yrs old and never had a name for my injuries until 2004 when I found UBPN at age 66.
My injuries are: LOBPI on upper body and Cerebrael Palsy on the lower left extremities. The only intervention I've had is a tendon transplant from my left leg to my left foot to enable flexing t age 24 in 1962. Before that, my foot would freeze without notice on the side when wearing heels AND I always did wear them at work "to fit in" I also stuttered until around age 18-19...just outgrew it...no therapy for it. Also suffered from very very low self esteem; severe Depression and Anxiety attacks started at menopause. I stuffed emotions and over-compensated in every thing I did to "fit in" and be "invisible". My injuries were Never addressed or talked about until age 66. I am a late bloomer!!!!!
I welcome any and all questions about "My Journey".
There is NO SUCH THING AS A DUMB QUESTION.
Sharing helps to Heal. HUGS do too. - Location: Tacoma WA
- Contact:
Re: splinting conference
WOW, Amy OT Student, you blow me away that you would think of me at an exciting time during your "In OT Groove" Conference. See what I mean..about you being a natural for OT for all of us to benefit from ALL of your knowledge, Skill & Personal Experience. Please tell your Mom and Dad that their money and investment for you to go to school IS VERY WELL SPENT and the world will be a much better place when you get your license to practice. I bet you have a job BEFORE you finish your schooling and I am not really a betting woman.
Marieke, The same goes for you and your Nursing,bet and all!
~~~~HUGS)))),
Carolyn J
LOBPI
Marieke, The same goes for you and your Nursing,bet and all!
~~~~HUGS)))),
Carolyn J
LOBPI
Carolyn J
Adult LOBPI
Adult LOBPI